Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 73,546 complaints - component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
All systems failed, including all lights, speedometer, ALL ADAS - this happened in more than one occasion. When I put the car in park it still registered to be in drive mode. Safety of myself and others at risk- the headlights and brake/taillights went out while driving in the dark. Brake assist went out while I was on a steep downgrade, the speedometer went out completely. Also the car indicated ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling abnormally rough. After shifting into driving and releasing the brake pedal with his foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle briefly independently accelerated. Upon reaching an undisclosed speed, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurre... Read more
Incident date: May 25, 2023
We had Model 3 with instance of unintended acceleration at the gate of a parking lot. This car was bought in May 2020. On December 6, 2020, she was on the way out of the parking gate and suddenly the car accelerated, hitting the side wall of the gate. The car flew over a two-way street, resulting in a compound fracture of her right hip requiring internal fixation and transfusion. The vehicle was i... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
The Model S, which was bought in 2015, had a sudden acceleration while I was trying to park near the entrance gate of the parking lot. The accident happened on May 25, 2023. Fortunately, nobody got hurt and the car was totaled. I feel strongly that this should be investigated, as this can be a very serious public safety issue. It was inspected by the insurance company. There were no warning messag... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
First time - While stopped at a traffic light and foot off both the accelerator and brake (the car holds itself once stopped) the car started to accelerate until I stopped it with the brake pedal. Second time, a few days later - while coasting to a stop and foot off both the accelerator and brake the car started to accelerate until I slowed it with the brake pedal. Both incidents happened within... Read more
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 2500
(2021) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 13, 2023
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
The vehicle is a 2019 Hertz rental RAV4 Hertz. On October 12, 2023, when I moved the gearstick to reverse the vehicle accelerated uncontrollable at extremely high speed and crashed into a wall. Braking did not stop the vehicle.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Nov 27, 2023
Vehicle changes gears on its own. Vehicle goes in and out of gear on its own when driving. Very unsafe and had to stop using this vehicle so myself or anyone else does not get hurt.
Incident date: Nov 20, 2023
Issue 1 : The car over bumpy roads loses the regenerative braking and accelerates. During this time (~1-2 sec), the manual brakes don't function and response is delayed but ultimately comes to life followed by the ABS functioning. Frequency of event occurrence: Multiple times. Issue 2 : The car detects false collision and automatically brakes itself coming to a full stop even if there is no car/o... Read more
NISSAN
PATHFINDER
(2011) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 13, 2023
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
Ever since I purchased my 2023 Tesla model 3 I have periodically experienced a phenomenon widely referred to on the web as "phantom braking". Google it (though you probably already know about it). When it makes the biggest impression on me is when I am driving at over 50 MPH on an open highway and the car suddenly slows down, to the extent that it feels like someone is applying the brakes. Every t... Read more
FORD
FUSION HYBRID
(2013) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 13, 2023
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
Rainy road, 60mph on the hw with my family. Truck decides to engage stabilitrak or something to that feel and locked up the brakes. Talk about a scary moment with an 18 wheeler coming in hot behind you. Obviously, in the moment, I had no clue what was happening other than something with the truck was malfunctioning. This scenario could have gone wrong in so many ways. I'm honestly in shock s... Read more
TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER
(2014) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 12, 2023
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
A “ engine oil pressure” message popped up on the dashboard of the vehicle while I was driving. The vehicle won’t not accelerate fast enough to keep up with traffic and when it did accelerate it was impossible to slow it down. The engine is defective and failed in this vehicle.
Incident date: Dec 12, 2023
Abs brake light is on and cruise won’t work with brake light on told by dealer ABS MODULE HAS FAILED manufacturer has no idea when parts will be available This needs to be a recall don’t know if abs brakes will ever work
CHEVROLET
SILVERADO 1500
(2019) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 12, 2023
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
At 35-40 and 55-65 mph, the car slips/ pulls back. I took it to the dealer, my rep said it is a known issue and GMC issued a bulletin but will not recall it because it's too expensive. There are thousands of reports online. Please investigate.
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Available for inspection upon request. Please do! Loss of power. Reported same issues a year ago. Brought to dealership, sold on other services that did not solve problem. Opened a case with Hyundai. No solution. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Random loss of power. Hyundai ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
The truck randomly started flashing service electrical anti skid braking system. It will go on and off randomly and other times stay on all the time. It will not allow cruise control to work and I’m guess my ABS will not work either if I need it. I bought the truck with 132K miles on it and the light starting coming on at 134K miles. I don’t want to possibly injury others or myself is the ABS ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 30, 2023
Traction control and abs warning lights flash on and off intermittently also cruise control not working when this happens. It is sporadic
Incident date: Aug 17, 2022
I heard fluid from what seemed like my dashboard and a puff of white smoke, no sensors came on. My Ford fusion continued but ran rough. I was pulling out of a parking lot onto the street and my Ford fusion was nearly t-boned because it would not accelerate. Later that day my overheat sensor came on and my fusion left me stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with a baby in 100 d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 11, 2023
Vehicle fails to accelerate when the accelerator is pushed all the way to the floor. Maximum acceleration is 20-25 mph. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety is greatly put at risk in normal traffic conditions due to the inability to accelerate. I am also unable to drive on the highway or anywhere requiring higher rates of speed. I am also unable to quickly remove my... Read more
Incident date: May 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while he, his wife, and his son were in the vehicle he had begun veering right pulling into the driveway, at approximately 5 MPH, he had begun slightly releasing the brakes when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at accelerated high speeds. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal however the vehicle speed continued to accelerat... Read more
Crash
3 injured
Incident date: Mar 6, 2023
We were in a parking lot. When my husband (driver) put the car into reverse, it accelerated wildly, and the brakes would not work. We almost struck a pedestrian. We were able to put the car into park to stop it. We waited, checked to see if something was stuck under the pedal. Then my husband put the car into drive. It accelerated wildly again. Brakes did not work. We nearly struck a car. We waite... Read more
Incident date: Dec 4, 2023
I was slowly traveling up my gravel drive. As I turned to follow the drive to the right, my car suddenly accelerated. I hit the brake and after pumping the brake (like when braking on ice) my car slowed back down. I immediately searched the internet for similar complaints.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
Please help Phantom braking is getting worse
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
When driving, sometimes a “Drive Mode Unavailable” message comes up on the infotainment. Drive modes in the MachE contribute to deceleration, one pedal driving, and throttle mapping, and switching abruptly from one to another without input from the driver is a safety issue as it can instantaneously change the deceleration or acceleration rate of the vehicle. This is a known bug that’s been ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2022
vehicle fails to accelerate, engine is “sputtering” and making a rattling sound and battery is draining to nothing on the freeway driving at normal speeds. vehicle is lurching and engine does not appear to be shifting as it should - car losing power and failing to accelerate despite being full of gas. transmission doesn’t feel like it is shifting properly. vehicle only has 8000 miles.
FORD
ESCAPE HYBRID
(2020) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 9, 2023
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
The vehicle as of 12/9/2023 at 3:00pm CST is at a mileage of 79,503. We are consistently experiencing the slipping of gears when the truck is switched from park to drive. The first couple gears seem to slip as it accelerates. The speedometer will be showing at under 10mph, and the truck will jerk forward. The engine/transmission gets loud as if the car is still in a lower gear as it’s accelerati... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2023
After transitioning from i35 south, to Highway 183 towards Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the auto-pilot (Ford Blue Cruse) fails, the speedometer fails, the battery level indicator fails, the instrument cluster fails, cruse control picks a random speed and struggles to keep it, lane keep assist is erratic at best. This occurs every time, and in both directions, I take my vehicle on that h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
Twice the ABS hydraulic control unit has become faulty and no unavailability of parts. The “issued warning” from Chrysler corp is be weary as the truck no longer has cruise control, 4 wheel drive, and a warning light and audible alarm that comes and goes to on/off every two to three seconds causing an immense amount of mental irritation while driving. This vehicle has been looked at twice by d... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
Started 2-3 months ago and is progressively getting worse. Battery drop from charged down to 2% randomly. Battery would drop 1% every 3 seconds. During highway drive it would cancel out cruise control and/or limited power down to 30mph. Which almost caused accident for the sudden loss of power. Brought to dealer and found no issues, waiting for next appointment in 2 weeks (next opening) to br... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
While driving in traffic the check transmission light came on and car would no longer accelerate coming to a stop in traffic. Gears were not recognized per dash lights. Towed to shop for transmission repair which failed again within a six month time frame when once again while driving check engine light, check transmission light, check temp light all alternately started flashing, car quit accelera... Read more
Incident date: Dec 8, 2023
I pulled over to take a phone call. The car was in park but idling. When I finished the call, I put the car in drive and released my foot from the brake. The car began to accelerate as if I was pressing the accelerator, but I was not. I checked the make sure there was no obstruction near the pedals. There was nothing there, no random object, no floor mat, nothing. I tried to release my foot a few ... Read more
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Ref NHTSA TRACKING # 11557625 Vehicle broke down again within 5K miles and 45 days of prior repair referenced in above case. Similar conditions, highway speed, bucking and vibrating, loss of speed control, no warning. Subsequent repair confirmed same issue (fuel injector) as original breakdown/repair and my initial notification to NHTSA.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
My abs control computer has failed. No abs/esc or cruise control. Dodge says the controller is on engineering hold and will not be available until March of 2024 at the earliest. This has been out since May. It is a safety issue that I need repaired. I cannot believe it has taken so long to get the part.
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it’s related to this recall that still has “no remedy” when it should’ve been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy it
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
I was pulling slowly into a parking spot. The vehicle accelerated all of a sudden on its own very fast. I slammed on the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. It ran us on a sidewalk and crashed into a pole. Luckily no one hurt. Progressive is calling the car a total loss, but they have done nothing The car is still at a parking lot near the crash. Nissan is also doing nothing. I feel that I ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
the vehicle will lose power without warning on a regular basis. the vehicle will also accelerate unexpectedly when switching from battery to engine power at speeds under 50 mph. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer and have been informed there is nothing they can do for me, the vehicle does not have any faulty components.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
This vehicle has a very dangerous malfunction. There was no power when I tried to move out of the way of an out-of-control semi truck while driving on the highway by pressing the pedal. I made every effort to maneuver because I was terrified. But because of the power outage, I could have died. This is really worrying, and I hope you can address the issue raised by Chevy so that someone else might ... Read more
Incident date: May 17, 2023
Car keeps running out of gas while driving, due to faulty readings on the gas gauge and electronic readout. I have been driving this car for 11 years and never ran out of gas until running out 3 times in the past 2 months. Today was the 3rd occurrence, gas gauge showed over 1/4 tank and 85 miles to go until empty. Previous incident was similar with 1/4 tank and showing 65 miles to go. (Pic... Read more
TOYOTA
COROLLA CROSS
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 6, 2023
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
ABS control module has been back order since June 2023. Abs light flashes and bing on regular bases. Cruise will not work when the ABS light is on. I’ve been on a wait list since June 2023, truck is very annoying trying to drive with constant binging. Towing my 5th wheel is very concerning with on going ABS module problems.
Incident date: Dec 1, 2023
This has happened on two different occasions. While driving the vehicle the alternator has gone out and there is no warning that there is any problem but you lose your throttle control and the car loses power and is unable to accelerate. The 1st time this happened I was in the middle of an intersection trying to make a left turn and lost all power to be able to move the car. Luckly no one was comi... Read more
Incident date: Nov 8, 2023
Vehicle reversing malfunctioned , may be a software defect. Vehicle while reversing without pressing the accelerator went berserk and hit another vehicle in the driveway. Vehicle data was provided by Tesla but there is no evidence of collision nor any video recording of the incident. No issues were seen nor any warnings displayed prior to the vehicle reversing itself. However insurance deemed it... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
This car has demonstrated repeated incidents of moving/driving backwards when it is set in Drive/Forward via the steering wheel control. This was first reported to Tesla in December of 22. Their service center responded that they could not identify a cause or propose a repair. They commented that it was an engineering and/or software problem. I provided them with multiple date/time stamps. videos ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 15, 2023
The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while stopped at the red traffic light with her disabled daughter sitting in the rear driver's side seat, the vehicle lurched forward abruptly and hit the rear of another occupied vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was damaged. The front driver's side and front passenge... Read more
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 6, 2023
All driver assist functions failing
Incident date: Dec 3, 2023
When pressing the cruise control button, then pressing down on the toggle switch, the car accelerates to 80 MPH. I was doing this because that is how my old Honda worked. The Ford dealership claimed that one sets the speed by pressing up (+) on the toggle switch. This works as it should, however, I fear that someone else is going to use the wrong combination of buttons and crash at 80 MPH. Pressin... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
I have had multiple phantom breaking on the highway in when use Autopilot in my 2023 Telsa model Y. I scared of using the Autopilot now cause of an accident on the highway.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The three issues above seems to be related or affect the other and does not allow cruise control to operate. The air bag light remains on and associated component light up the dash. Surprisingly, my VIN does not show up for air bag repair. I wish I did not have to wait for possible recall announcement for my vehicle before I can get it repaired and instead to fix it now. Frustrating.
FORD
MUSTANG MACH E
(2023) - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Dec 5, 2023
Incident date: Nov 28, 2023
Every car sold in America goes up to a speed that is illegal everywhere in America. Countless lives would be saved if cars were unable to go over 120 mph for example--a speed that no one can argue they should have a right to go, and no reasonable driver would ever approach
99 injured
99 deaths
Incident date: Jul 5, 2022
When driving at 55MPH with cruise control on, the car suddenly accelerated to 75MPH, this happened on the open road and was able to keep under control. Auto has less than 10,000 miles. I will be contacting Hyundai customer service for a case number on this incident. First indication of a problem was cruise control, auto braking failed iin June of 2023. This follows a replacement of defective fron... Read more
Incident date: Oct 27, 2023
Failure to comply in a timely manner regarding NHTSA Recall Number23V727 Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE IF THE BRAKE FLUID IS DEPLETED FROM THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN NO BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH MAY INCREASE T... Read more
Incident date: Dec 5, 2023
Failure to repair NHTSA Recall Number 23V727 Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE IF THE BRAKE FLUID IS DEPLETED FROM THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN NO BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.